Hailing from the Motor City, Treavion Davenport, also known as Trea “The Storyteller,” is a sought-after author, film, TV, and podcast producer and ghostwriter. She is the co-author of a spicy urban fiction novel, ‘Sugar Mama: A Keilanii Jennings Saga,’ and a gritty self-help page-turner, ‘Living for the Sacrifice: A Hood Hero’s Guide to Success.’ When she isn’t creating content like the Big Texas Bossin’ podcast, and bringing characters to life on pages, stages, and screens, through her production house Persnicketee, she’s running the successful PR and strategic branding firm, Trea Day, LLC in addition to the public relations and event planning learning hub, PR University.
You are famously known as Trea “The Storyteller.” Share your background. A: For nearly the past 2 decades I have ideated and orchestrated the messaging for PR clients ranging from authors, philanthropists, and creatives to business leaders and hip- hop artists including Gucci Mane, Charli Baltimore, Bre Z, Trae Tha Truth, Kurupt, and Kash Doll. Communicating to the world, the attributes, uniqueness, and nuances of a brand and/or talent require a mastery of language and storytelling. My innate gifts in this area have afforded me a lucrative and longstanding career. It also made for a natural transition into writing books and film production.
Tell us about being a Celebrity Publicist. Who are you working with?
A: Being a “celebrity” publicist is like being an agent, spokesperson, cheerleader, therapist, and fixer at all times. There are days when I have to jump into action like Olivia Pope and help clients navigate crises, and others when I have to stroke their egos and others when I have to be brutally honest about setting realistic expectations about how the public perceives them - none of these functions are easy. Not everyone is cut out for celebrity handling!
I’ve always maintained a highly diverse roster ranging from Tupac’s protege's, The Outlawz, to Cincinnati Bengals standout Defensive End, Michael Johnson, to teen TikTok royalty, Brooklyn Queen, and DJ Monie “The Risque DJ!”
What does a typical day look like? A: Now that’s a good one...whew, ok let’s see. The moment I open my eyes - my first thought is “Thank You.” When my feet hit the floor, my intention is set to show gratitude for life and being blessed by the Creator to enjoy another day of life.
After brushing my teeth and putting my coffee on, I’m watching with replenishing joy, my puppy Cayenne, run around in our backyard. From then on, I swear it’s like the next 12-14 hours are woven together by a barrage of texts, calls, Zoom meetings, interviews, writing sessions, emails, and brainstorming pow-wows.
When I’m not producing events all over the country, working on a film or book project, I eat, breathe and sleep TREA DAY; my PR, Planning, Production, and Publishing Services Agency - and I love it!
I think of and work for my clients while they sleep. The only problem is…I get too little rest myself. I’m working on getting a better balance, but I’m not complaining. Like I said; I start my day thankful and I crash the same way.
You are the Director and Producer of the film, ‘Living for the Sacrifice: A Hood Hero’s Guide to Success.’ Tell us about Brian Maurice Brown.
A: Lol - it’d be a lot easier for me to just encourage you to watch the movie and read the book we wrote (of the same title)! However, l wouldn’t miss the opportunity to state for the record what an incredible, intriguing, interesting, and complex man Brian Brown is.
For the 30+ years that we’ve been friends, I’ve always found myself in the unique position of having to explain who he is and how is and elaborate on his outline of engagement.
From his nefarious past as a street hustler, to his journey as an America’s Most Wanted fugitive, to becoming a serious player in the music industry (who works with recording artists based on their “spirit”) to how he navigates being the husband to multiple wives and father to 14 children…it’s been a joy and at times a rollercoaster of emotions. The rewards have far outweighed the chore and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world!
What will people notice first about this film?
A: People will notice that it is well made with fascinating reenactments that draw viewers in like a feature film and compel them to get to know Brian Maurice Brown through candid documentary interviews.
As a director, what was critical to translate to the audience?
A: That the principal; Brian Maurice Brown was so much more than a street hustler and a womanizer, but rather a special man who longed for love and acceptance from the time he was a little boy. So, when he was in the position to help others, give back, pay for things, and bless people with money and did so, he realized the power of karma and paying it forward. This begins his conscious effort to live for the sacrifice!
Share a powerful scene.
A: There’s a scene that depicts Brian (aka Peanut) as a child, barely 5 years old and it’s an intense ordeal as his father Fonzo, who the boy looked up to, callously forces Peanut to “be a man” by ordering him to shoot in cold blood an intruder who had riddled their home with bullets moments prior.
What is your vision for the film? A: I hope the ‘Living for the Sacrifice: A Hood Hero’s Guide to Success’ inspires others to consider that an individual from a sorted background with a tainted past and questionable perception in the eyes of the law and the average person can very well be a vulnerable, misunderstood, generous genius longing to be loved and accepted.
You just launched your book, “Be a Red-Carpet Pro.” Share your Red Carpet experiences.
A: One of my most memorable experiences was accompanying my clients to the Soul Train Awards in Las Vegas. I was the publicist for BMB Entertainment and was responsible for PR and escorting infamous rappers Charli Baltimore and Trick Trick, who at the time were BMB Records artists. Friend and label owner/CEO Brian Brown, who is a bit of a “universal law” guru, had advised me to go with the flow and not be so uptight as I had grown very accustomed to following the “rules” and had only been cleared to walk Charli down the carpet. Although I was anticipating opposition when I approached the credentials check in; I was greeted by long-time colleague from BET, Jaime Owens who was gracious and let me, both artists and Brian on the carpet with ease. I jumped right into action; assessing the available press oops, informing outlets of who I was representing. At one point I had Charli seated with Wendy Williams in the TV broadcast section of the carpet and Trick Trick speaking with BET online. I looked over at Brian and he nodded and gave me a wink and a smile that I knew meant; “See, I told you so!”
How important is it to plan for the Red-Carpet? What will Event Planners & Publicists gleam from your book?
A: With anything in life; failing to plan is planning to fail. Having a clear strategy and conducting a walk thru with the set-up team is critical. Readers will be able to
think about things from not only the perspective of the planner but as the talent handler, the one walking the carpet and the media who show up to cover the event. Every role matters. Every step counts. ALL of it is a reflection on the planner and/or the publicist.
What is the best advice you can give during award season?
A: Be patient. Be proactive. Be professional. Be proficient. Be polite. Be a Red-Carpet PRO!
Share your upcoming projects. A: Well, I’m earning the moniker “The Storyteller,” that’s for sure. I’m currently producing a feature-length film that focuses on the formative years of Brian Brown’s life, up until the time he became ‘America’s Most Wanted fugitive.’ I’m in post-production of a reality series, ‘Love Against All Odds,’ that follows three unique couples as they navigate insurmountable circumstances, and working on completing the follow-up to my and co-author Lalanii Wilson-Jones’ racy urban novel, ‘Sugar Mama,’ the memoir of highly lauded humanitarian, activist, and recording artist, Trae Tha Truth, and my very own memoir and self-help book series.
I remain at the helm of my PR, Publishing, Production, and Planning agency Trea Day, LLC ideating and executing strategies for clients ranging from innovative African American woman-led electric vehicle charging and energy efficiency company CEO, Natalie King to beauty brand boss, Damienne Flagler.
For more information about Treavion Davenport, visit www.treaday.com.
PHOTOS BY: Ladonn Williams
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